Hotly tipped country duo Thelma & James, made up of married singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, will release their debut EP ‘Starting Over' on September 19. The eight-song project marks the official launch of their journey as a duo, after years of individual success and a recent wave of attention for their heartfelt co-writes. Just days after its release, the pair will celebrate another milestone with their Grand Ole Opry debut on September 23.
“We are so excited to announce our very first EP together. These songs came together quickly and creating them felt so effortless,” the duo shared. “When we sat down to write back in December, there was no plan beyond getting a few ideas off our chests. We never imagined it would turn into a band, a record deal and now an entire project—but looking back, it feels inevitable.”
Porter added, “Jake is my best collaborator in every part of life, so it only makes sense that it translates into music too. This is just the beginning; we have so many songs… they just won't stop flooding our brains.”
Their first co-write in over a decade led to the project’s opening track and viral hit ‘Happy Ever After You,' which Billboard described as “a pared-back ballad of a love undimmed by the time and miles between.” That song sparked the idea of forming Thelma & James and opened doors for collaborations with acclaimed songwriters including Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, and Josh Osborne. All eight tracks were co-written by Porter and Etheridge, with production from Lonas.
Alongside ‘Happy Ever After You,' the EP features previously released songs like ‘Nostalgic for Nothing,' ‘Canaries in a Coal Mine' and ‘Chainsmokin Memories,' which Atwood Magazine praised for its “swampy Americana and bluegrass” sound. Also included is the ballad ‘First Love,' highlighted by Holler as “aching.” The project introduces three brand-new tracks: ‘Loser,' ‘Parking Lot Prayers' and the title track ‘Starting Over.'
With ‘Starting Over,' Thelma & James are cementing themselves as one of country music’s most exciting new acts, blending honesty, intimacy, and rootsy charm. Fans can pre-save the EP now at thelmaandjames.com.
Starting Over track list
- Happy Ever After You (MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge)*
- Chainsmokin Memories (Jake Etheridge, Jordan Minton, MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Reynolds, Parker Welling)
- Loser (Jake Etheridge, Natalie Hemby, MacKenzie Porter)
- Parking Lot Prayers (Jake Etheridge, MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Reynolds, Emily Weisband)
- Canaries in a Coal Mine (Jake Etheridge, Josh Osborne, MacKenzie Porter, Scott Stepakoff)
- Nostalgic for Nothing (Jake Etheridge, MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Reynolds, Parker Welling)
- First Love (Jake Etheridge, Lauren Hungate, MacKenzie Porter)
- Starting Over (Jake Etheridge, Lori McKenna, MacKenzie Porter)
